A Brooklyn Designer's Earthy, Vintage-Inspired Abode

Designer Amy Row's Clinton Hill home with husband Matthew and puppy Rye has a pleasingly laid-back vibe.

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February 09, 2018

By: Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason

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Photo By: Genevieve Garruppo

Vintage Style

When it comes to designing a home, anyone can have amazing style. Of course, if you already happen to be an interior designer, it certainly helps. Homepolish designer, Amy Row has created an amazing dreamscape in her home in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. There, Amy, her husband, Matthew, and their puppy, Rye, enjoy life in a subtle, laid-back vintage interior.

Restful Styling

The bedroom continues the home’s minimalist, earthy aesthetic, which Amy calls, “Spa Retreat.” The emphasis in this room is on linens and sheets that add a bit of blue to the sea of neutrals that define the home. The addition of shades of blue creates a more beach-centered look in the bedroom.

Original Art Adds Impact

Opposite the mirror vignette, a gallery wall of framed art, including prints from Georgia O’Keeffe alongside some of Matthew’s photography work, sits above a beautiful vintage credenza. As a DIY moment, Amy added brass knobs to the honey wood credenza. Changing the knobs is one of her favorite secrets for transforming vintage pieces for a modern space.

Making an Entrance

A giant rose gold mirror sets off this stylish display in the home’s entryway. Large enough to give a full view of anyone looking into it, the tinted reflection is a beautiful addition that displays everything in it as wall art. Beneath the mirror, is another vintage chair. This time, the three-legged seating sports a mix of white leather and chrome. The piece is perfect for sitting and putting on shoes or getting ready for a walk with the dog.

Drapery DIY

This DIY moment comes courtesy of Amy who created her own drapery rods. This curtain is hung from a rod that she created by weaving twine over brass pieces to hold her gauzy linen curtains. A trip to a local art store is all that’s needed to recreate the display.

Original Details

The fireplaces, including the one in the living room, were an instant connection for Amy and a big reason why she and Matthew wanted this home. A Brooklyn staple, the carved stone adds another textural element to the home.

Mastering The Mix

Amy has a way with mixing styles at home. In this reading nook a mid-century chair, a brass lamp from the '80s and a centuries-old carved stone fireplace come together seamlessly. Behind the lounge, two ancient tree stumps that have crystallized over millions of years are the oldest pieces in the home. And plants in earthenware pots reinforce the earth tone color scheme while adding to the nature-inspired feel of the room. Amy’s ability to layer neutrals helps bring pieces from various periods together beautifully.

Minimal Accessories Create Drama

Keeping with the overall sense of minimalism in the home, the mantle is sparsely decorated. A full-sized mirror and a single plant stem is all it takes to accessorize this stunning fireplace.

Earthy Atmosphere

The earthy feeling that permeates this home stems from Amy’s decision to stay very close to the built-in color palette of the space. Brick walls and wood floors offer not only color but texture in the space. Together with the large standing plants, they create a warm and serene environment.

A Study In Neutrals

In this perfectly curated living room, a marble coffee table continues the trend of natural materials in the home, while the sofa continues to fill the space with earth tones and texture. The metal legs of the table are a subtle contrast to the layers of stone, brick and wood, offering a feminine touch. Amy sources items from vintage shops and flea markets, creating a seamless neutral color palette at home.

Industrial Elements

In the dining room it’s all about playing with industrial elements. The dining chairs are a unique find from a vintage warehouse in Brooklyn. The mix of metal, wood and curved lines makes them unexpected statement pieces in the dining area. Around a lucite and glass dining table, the area is topped off with a vintage green pendant. A photograph by family friend, Renato D'Agostin completes the space.

Making Space in the Kitchen

In an open plan space, one of the challenges is delineating between separate areas of the home. This kitchen carves out a space all its own with the placement of a blue polymer console table that acts as a kitchen island. More than just a barrier, it picks up on the lucite of the dining table and the color of the overhead pendant and cabinetry. All of this helps to ensure that even though the rooms are separate the design is cohesive and unified.

Pet-Friendly Design

Amy and Matt’s puppy, Rye, sits in repose in one of her favorite spots at home, the sofa. For Amy and Matt, the sofa's color is perfect, as dog hair easily blends in with the aesthetic. To create her peaceful, earthy look, Amy likes to blend textures in a neutral color palette and let the differences between textures bring out the variations in color. Here, a velvet sofa, a hemp rug and woven pouf all come together beautifully, with subtle color shifts and a mix of textures.